A major scam has come to light ahead of the Sub-Inspector recruitment examination scheduled to be held in Odisha. In this conspiracy, agents promised candidates that the question paper would be leaked beforehand, enabling them to pass the exam without effort. For this, 25 lakh rupees were being extorted from each candidate.
Odisha: A major scam has surfaced ahead of the Sub-Inspector recruitment examination in Odisha. Police have arrested a total of 117 people in connection with this case, including 114 candidates and 3 agents. According to information, agents had promised these candidates to provide secret papers to help them pass the exam without effort. It has been revealed that 25 lakh rupees were being extorted from each candidate, with 10 lakh rupees taken as an advance and the remaining 15 lakh rupees to be paid after securing the job.
How the Scam was Busted
Berhampur police received confidential information from a secret source that large-scale irregularities were being committed in the Sub-Inspector examination conducted by the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB). Following this, police stopped and investigated three AC sleeper buses near the Andhra Pradesh border. There were 117 people on board the buses, including 114 candidates and 3 agents.
The investigation revealed that these candidates were traveling from Baramunda, Bhubaneswar, to Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, by bus. There, they were promised to receive the confidential question paper for the examination. The agents had stated that the question paper would be leaked beforehand, allowing candidates to easily pass the exam.
Agents' Conspiratorial Network
Police stated that the arrested agents were members of this racket and were operating under the instructions of bigger agents. This is an organized gang spread across the entire state. The investigation also revealed that several other agents are involved in this scam. Police have initiated the process to identify them and will arrest them soon.
Arrests and Legal Action
A case has been registered at Golanthara Police Station in Berhampur Police District in this matter. The accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, as well as Sections 11(1) and 12(1) of the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024. Police have formally arrested all 117 individuals and are preparing to present them in court. Further investigation is ongoing to identify other people involved in this scam and ensure they are also brought to justice.
Law Minister Reacts
Odisha's Law Minister, Prithviraj Harichandan, stated that the government had already made changes to the examination process and increased the severity of penalties. Despite this, some mischievous elements are engaging in illegal activities. The Minister affirmed that stringent action would be taken against anyone found involved in this scam, whether it be an agency, a political figure, or a government employee.
Exam Postponed, Helpline Issued
Earlier, the Odisha Police Recruitment Board had also reported irregularities in the examination. Consequently, the CPSE-2024 examination scheduled for October 5-6 has been postponed. The Board has also issued a helpline number, 9040493223, for the convenience of the public and examinees, where any suspicious activity can be reported.
